There are an almost overwhelming number of factors that contribute to the build-up of modern day stress. There are increasing demands made on the individual: it is not enough to have a good job, you must have a perfect family too.
Women must look as if they just shimmied out of a glossy mag even though they actually just fell out of bed after a night with a teething baby and a conference report deadline; men must not only bring home the bacon but cook it, whilst bathing fractious toddlers and writing poetry.
We change jobs, homes and partners more frequently than previous generations, and whilst change is often rewarding, it is also demanding of precious emotional and physical resources.
Of course, we can now talk about such things, which is an enormous bonus. Acknowledging a situation and being able to discuss it with others goes a great way towards coping with it.
Stress, after all, is not necessarily a bad thing. Challenges can present us with opportunities to develop and move on. The idea is not to rid our lives of any stimulus, but to improve our ways of dealing with it, learning to support our coping mechanisms, both physical and emotional.
The central nervous system takes a great deal of the flack both physically and emotionally when pressures are building. On a physical level this means headaches and muscle tension, with impaired digestion and fatigue. Emotionally, jumpy, irritable behaviour results, with mood swings and sleep disturbances. Feeding the central nervous system with magnesium and vitamin B, which are both vital and used up extremely quickly in stressful situations, will minimize knotted muscles and irritation.
The adrenal glands deserve special attention also, as they become drained through the constant requirement for adrenalin as we fight our way through the day. A vitamin B complex is again important, as is vitamin C. The less caffeine, nicotine, alcohol and other drugs you take into your system, the easier the job of the adrenals becomes. Without wishing to bore you, did you know that 200mg of caffeine (about two cups of coffee) can cause nervousness and anxiety? Caffeine can also lower the brain’s ‘stress threshold’, affect sleep patterns, and interfere with the bodies ability to fight infection.
It is a sad fact that when we are stressed, our immune system is weakened and we are more likely to fall prey to lurking germs. Boost your immune system in times of strain with Echinaforce.
Siberian Ginseng (Eleutherococcus) contains polysaccharides that have been shown to boost the functioning of the immune system. As this herb also increases energy, it can be helpful for short term crises, such as moving house.
At the risk of sounding facile, make sure you are breathing! That is, really breathing, not just short, shallow intakes that barely oxygenate your ribcage. Exercising will both improve your lung capacity and increase levels of ‘happy chemicals’ in your body. Of course, trying to fit exercise into your routine may seem like yet another stress!
Avenaforce, is ideal for difficult times. It can be taken long-term for low level, persistent stress, working on the muscles and the emotions. Safe to take during the day and with other medication, it will gently increase your ability to cope.
For shorter term, immediate relief from panic and frayed nerves, Valerian tincture. It works in a similar fashion on the body, relaxing muscles, relieving muscle spasm and calming the digestion. It can be taken during the day without causing drowsiness but, if taken at night, may help to promote better sleep.
These remedies should not really be taken for longer than a few weeks without a break; Avenaforce is more appropriate if you need ongoing support.
Women who find that their nerves are more easily shattered before their period could try a few months on A.Vogel Vitex. This will raise progesterone levels, bringing the urge to throttle those around you under control.
Passion flower is an ‘anxiolytic’, which means that it calms symptoms of anxiety, reducing tension and spasm in the muscles and soothing jangled nerves. Many herbs have this ability to work on physical and mental symptoms at the same time, and Passiflora is particularly useful because it has no side effects and can be used over a long period, keeping you relaxed and able to focus on your goal without being bothered by rampaging withdrawal symptoms. It will ensure that you get a better quality sleep as well, helping with the transition from a wakeful state into restful sleep, without leaving you feeling ‘drugged’ the next morning.
